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Krag loading gate-follower question (Read 2272 times)

Baltimoreed KCA Forum Member Offline Krag Enthusiast! Posts: 320 Location: Aurora, NC Joined: Feb 5^th, 2016 Gender:	Krag loading gate-follower question Aug 8^th, 2018 at 12:29am	Print Post
	In the building and testing of my Krag speedloader I’ve noticed something about the loading gates on my constabulary and scout krag rifles. The gate on my constabulary opens farther than the one on my scout. Is the follower supposed to stay flush to the top edge of the gate or be exposed? The exposed follower seems to interfere with the operation of my speed loader. Also the scout gate spring is stronger than the constabulary spring. Do I need to replace it? You can see the difference in the photo. Thanks
	« Last Edit: Aug 8^th, 2018 at 2:40am by Baltimoreed »

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butlersrangers KCA Forum Member Offline Krag Enthusiast! Posts: 6330 Location: Michigan Bi-Peninsular&Proud Joined: Oct 7^th, 2009	Re: Krag loading gate-follower question Reply #1 - Aug 8^th, 2018 at 8:10pm	Print Post
	I can't tell for certain because of the photo angle and shadows, but, your 'scout' rifle may be a model 1896 action with a model 1898 magazine-gate?? (I'm judging by the bolt-collar and stock 'cut' for the bolt-handle). Attached photos compare a model 1896 rifle (left) and a model 1899 carbine (right). Notice the rounded rear-corner of the 1896 gate and the more square rear corner of the model 1898/1899 gate. (An incorrect gate may fit on an 1896 or 1898 action, but, alter the movement of the follower assembly. Make sure you have the right gate for your action). Photographs at a slight angle distort appearances. FWIW - On both of these actions, it measures about 9/16 of an inch from the outside of the receiver wall to the closest edge of the follower. The two model 1896 actions, that I have, seem to require less effort to open and close than the several 1898 & 1899 actions I tried, today.


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Baltimoreed KCA Forum Member Offline Krag Enthusiast! Posts: 320 Location: Aurora, NC Joined: Feb 5^th, 2016 Gender:	Re: Krag loading gate-follower question Reply #2 - Aug 8^th, 2018 at 9:00pm	Print Post
	My constabulary is dated 1899 while the scout is dated 1898. Both have the more square rear corner gate. My concern is how much farther the gate opens on my 1899 and is this a potential problem indicating a weak spring. Pardon my ignorance but I’m assuming that the spring that holds the gate closed is also the spring that powers the follower? Currently I don’t seem to have cartridge feeding issues.


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butlersrangers KCA Forum Member Offline Krag Enthusiast! Posts: 6330 Location: Michigan Bi-Peninsular&Proud Joined: Oct 7^th, 2009	Re: Krag loading gate-follower question Reply #3 - Aug 8^th, 2018 at 11:21pm	Print Post
	If it works .... screw it up!


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Baltimoreed KCA Forum Member Offline Krag Enthusiast! Posts: 320 Location: Aurora, NC Joined: Feb 5^th, 2016 Gender:	Re: Krag loading gate-follower question Reply #4 - Aug 10^th, 2018 at 12:05pm	Print Post
	Thanks, butlersrangers. In the words of Sgt Apone, “Nobody touch nothin.”


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butlersrangers KCA Forum Member Offline Krag Enthusiast! Posts: 6330 Location: Michigan Bi-Peninsular&Proud Joined: Oct 7^th, 2009	Re: Krag loading gate-follower question Reply #5 - Aug 10^th, 2018 at 2:51pm	Print Post
	FWIW: 'Baltimoreed' - I took the liberty of copying your 'Constabulary' Rifle picture and marking the location, that should measure approximately 9/16 of an inch. (In photographs of two Krag actions, up-close and side by side, the camera angle distorts appearances and makes comparison difficult. I can't trust my eyes and have to measure). Your model 1899 ('Constabulary') might have a model 1896 follower-arm assembly, that doesn't quite fold and retract, like an 1898/99 one. (?) There is a flange on the bottom of the magazine-gate that touches the lower receiver and limits the travel of the gate. So, unless metal has been removed, gate travel is 'fixed'. (BTW -There is just the one spring that powers the follower-arm assembly and tensions the magazine-gate).


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butlersrangers KCA Forum Member Offline Krag Enthusiast! Posts: 6330 Location: Michigan Bi-Peninsular&Proud Joined: Oct 7^th, 2009	Re: Krag loading gate-follower question Reply #6 - Aug 10^th, 2018 at 3:40pm	Print Post
	One more thing.... The Krag magazine-gate has a 'lug' that engages a 'niche' on the follower arm. This is what retracts the follower-arm for loading. If metal has been removed from this 'lug' or the niche it contacts, the amount of travel of the follower-arm is likely changed. (Also, the angle & fit of these parts may be different in model 1896 and model 1898/99 parts. If a 'mixed marriage', things might not quite work right)?


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Baltimoreed KCA Forum Member Offline Krag Enthusiast! Posts: 320 Location: Aurora, NC Joined: Feb 5^th, 2016 Gender:	Re: Krag loading gate-follower question Reply #7 - Aug 11^th, 2018 at 1:44am	Print Post
	It measures 9/16 inch at the point you indicated. But why is my gate opening so wide? Time to take it apart. I just swapped out the ?gate and hinge bar pin with another gate and pin that I had. It’s not as pretty but doesn’t seem to open any where near as far as the original one. Opens like the gate on my scout. Other than a whole lotta crud on the original gate, pin, spring etc I didn’t see anything broken. Both of the squarish gate studs looked the same, I didn’t think to mic them. Must have been wear on the original gate. Looks good now. Thanks, BE


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